Today I have a game that the family played quite a bit "back in the day" (as all the hip kids say). Water Works by Parker Brothers! Water Works is a card game, although it doesn't feel like one to me. It's really more of a construction game in my book. In it, you play the part of a plumber having a really bad day.
The whole point of the game is to build your pipe from source to spout while fixing leaks that your opponents throw in your way. Very much like real life, in a way. Let's look at the pictures, shall we?
This game was released in 1972, and I have that edition. Note the groovy font on the box!
What really surprised me about this game is how fun it really is! In my research (limited as it was) I read that some players complained because luck has too big a role in winning due to the fact that the better cards you draw, the easier it is, but isn't that just life?
All in all, this was always a family favorite! I recommend it for rainy days, or just boring ones. Good times! (much more so than actual plumbing work- trust me!)
Until next time, keep searching for treasure!
I never played this game before—but now I want to. Wow—lots of instructions! I think I’d rather have you teach me, Stu, on game night…so I don’t have to read everything. It looks like the kind of game that wouldn’t take a ton of concentration—you could talk and laugh [and eat snacks] while playing and having fun [once you have the rules memorized]. ….so, Stu, go ahead and schedule game night—and invite Jesse!
ReplyDelete(Just don’t bring out Monopoly.)
Lol, it really does play easier than the instructions suggest! And there's not much thought involved! Sure, I'll reach ya!
DeleteGettin' it scheduled!
Yay! Waterworks! We have this game too. And like you said, it's a FUN game that we played for years "back in the day" (I'm one of the hip kids too).
ReplyDeleteAnd man, I also don't remember that thick stack of rules. Like you said, the game is simple and intuitive: Someone slaps a leaky pipe somewhere on your 'pipeline' and you have to fix it before you can continue adding to your pipeline.
I always enjoyed the realistic artwork of the pipe cards. The lead pipes look like lead, and the copper pipes look like copper. I even like the chartreuse green background.
Like Sue said, the game doesn't require a lot of thought or strategy, which allows you to just enjoy playing the game.
For once, I didn't read through the rules that you posted here. I still remember most of them... even though it's been decades since I last played it.
Good game. Good post. Thanks, Stu.
Yeah, it's amazing that they can generate that many rules for a simple game! And it is fun, even if there is a pretty high "luck" factor. I'm glad it brought back good memories!
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